Light aircraft flying experience for youngster

Lorddrakul

My lad, who is 10, is showing a lot of interest in being a pilot.
I'd like to do whatever I can to encourage that.

Years ago, I did an introductory flying lesson in a Cessna and I loved it, however, the age limit for most of these things seems to be 15.

Does anyone know of a flying club or similar where they would take up a 10 year old, with me accompanying?

Not looking for him to take the controls or anything, just to be able to have the experience of a light aircraft and see if he likes the raw experience.

We're Dublin based, but happy to travel.

Cheers,
LD

exaisle

Where did you have the Cessna flight?

Son of a friend of mine has been doing chopper lessons....but he was 16 when he first went.

Lorddrakul

exaisle wrote: »

Where did you have the Cessna flight?

It was out of Westin, in around 1999.

It was a 175, IIRC. Loved it.

Flew down over the Liffey, in towards the city centre, out around the Pidgeon House and then picked up the M50 and followed back before peeling off for Westin.

Was £99 back then. Have a cert ina book some where

But I'd love to give the wee lad a chance to experience the basics of flight, to see someone work the controls and feel it through the seat of the pants.

exaisle

Google is your friend:

http://waterfordaeroclub.com/fly-with-us/courses-training-renting/private-pilot-licence/

John_Mc

Lorddrakul wrote: »

My lad, who is 10, is showing a lot of interest in being a pilot.
I'd like to do whatever I can to encourage that.

Years ago, I did an introductory flying lesson in a Cessna and I loved it, however, the age limit for most of these things seems to be 15.

Does anyone know of a flying club or similar where they would take up a 10 year old, with me accompanying?

Not looking for him to take the controls or anything, just to be able to have the experience of a light aircraft and see if he likes the raw experience.

We're Dublin based, but happy to travel.

Cheers,
LD

All flying clubs/schools do introductory lessons but it's usually in a C150 or similar 2 seater. You'd need a C172 or 4 seater to be able to go with him so could be more expensive.

Have you contacted the schools out in Weston? I'd say the 15 year old limitation is probably to start the PPL?

I also don't think it'd be a problem for him to handle the controls briefly when at a safe altitude. That's up the instructor though

drake70

You could contact Newcastle Airfield in Co. Wicklow http://www.einc.ie/index

exaisle

Give Weston a call and ask them....

Lorddrakul

All of the flight experiences I've managed to find via, surprise, surprise, Google, have the 15 minimum age limit.

I am not looking for him to start a PPL, as I stated, I just want him to have a flight experience in a light aircraft, as he has been on many a commercial flight already.

Westin have got back, and a scenic flight in a four seater seems to be the way to go. No age limits.

martinsvi

To carry passengers for profit you need to take out an Air Operators Certificate and from all the schools in Ireland, AFAIK only NFC has one. - http://www.scenicflightsireland.ie/
However during AOC operations a person who is not qualified to operate the aircraft would not be allowed to take controls

The one's you're looking at - the experience flight voucher events happen under a premise that people taking a flight with them are technically students and as such the organization providing the training does not require an AOC. However in order to be an eligible student, you need to be of a certain age and during this training flight there should be no other people on board. This is the only legal way that these clubs can take people up, therefore you wont see them publicly selling vouchers to ineligible candidates.

That's the theory bit. The practice is such, that you can still give couple of clubs a call and I'm sure at least one of the previously listed ones wont say no. Good luck!

exaisle

It's great to see such a young chap with such a strong interest in acquiring a pilot's licence....but even better is that he has a dad who's prepared to nurture it.

Beware though, OP....it might end up costing you more than a few bob!

Dingle_berry

NFC mainly operate C152 which are 2 seater but they do have a few larger aircraft and offer air tour charters of dublin and Ireland. They're your best bet as has been previously mentioned.

Weston do hold events like the special day of flying where the aviation community in Weston get together and give children with special needs a flight experience. Clubs like Trim flying club (who have 2 four seater c172s) take part. I've no idea how they get around the red tape that Martin mentioned.

Failing all that maybe an hour or two in Weston tower and with the police & fire crew might satisfy him for a while?

martinsvi

Dingle_berry wrote: »

NFC mainly operate C152 which are 2 seater but they do have a few larger aircraft and offer air tour charters of dublin and Ireland. They're your best bet as has been previously mentioned.

Weston do hold events like the special day of flying where the aviation community in Weston get together and give children with special needs a flight experience. Clubs like Trim flying club (who have 2 four seater c172s) take part. I've no idea how they get around the red tape that Martin mentioned.

Failing all that maybe an hour or two in Weston tower and with the police & fire crew might satisfy him for a while?

Weston special day of flying is supported by volunteer pilots and aircraft owners who do not receive a single penny for their activities - this year we did get a fairly generous fuel allowance thou thanks to our sponsors. But since no profit is involved, as private pilots we can take up whoever we like and there's no red tape for that

Kids can't just walk in on that though, the organizers are working closely with some charity organizations and health care partners to establish a list of those who are eligible and fit enough for this event.

lakill Farm

Head down to galway and fly out to the Aran islands and back.

Think of a mini with 2 sheets of plywood as wings.

Nforce

Try this crowd operating a Cessna 172 out of Weston... https://wildatlanticflights.com/.

I'm not affiliated with them in any way.

Dingle_berry

martinsvi wrote: »

Weston special day of flying is supported by volunteer pilots and aircraft owners who do not receive a single penny for their activities - this year we did get a fairly generous fuel allowance thou thanks to our sponsors. But since no profit is involved, as private pilots we can take up whoever we like and there's no red tape for that

Kids can't just walk in on that though, the organizers are working closely with some charity organizations and health care partners to establish a list of those who are eligible and fit enough for this event.

So if the OP could find a pilot with access to a 3 or 4 seater and offer to share the costs there would be no problem? OP doesn't have to join a club or subscribe to a PPL, just find a suitably qualified friend

Lorddrakul

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I think our proximity to Weston, and the site seeing flight offerings being reasonable, that's the best way to go for now.

We had a day out before, where we went to the restaurant at Weston for a long ;lunch and watched the traffic coming in and out. It was most enjoyable and may well have fueled his interest.

Cheers.

martinsvi

Dingle_berry wrote: »

So if the OP could find a pilot with access to a 3 or 4 seater and offer to share the costs there would be no problem? OP doesn't have to join a club or subscribe to a PPL, just find a suitably qualified friend

exactly! As long as no profits are involved, a current PPL holder can take up whoever they want.

knucklehead6

https://www.meetup.com/AwesomeDaytrips/events/244894831/

Pinch Flat

Fair play to you, OP, my son (Aged 11) has also expressed and interest. Maybe he'll succeed where I failed, but want to give him a decent shot.

Had him up in the Aer Arran Islander out to the Aran Island in late August - he got to sit up front, so was beyond excited. Also did a trip out Waterford Aero club in their Piper Warrior a few years back, he was a rear passenger but still enjoyed it immensely. I had the voucher as a gift, and they were happy to oblige.